Article August 16, 1900 Issue

A Communication

Alfred Farlow

Transcript

Editor of Transcript :—In a recent issue of your paper you published a letter in which it is stated that "the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy holds a position among Christian Scientists similar to that of the Virgin Mother with Catholics, that, unlike the founder of the first Christian Church, this one has made a fortune by her teaching and her books."

Now, I am not sufficiently informed as to the position held by the Virgin Mother in the minds of Catholics, to write intelligently on that subject, but I would ask the privilege, since this question has been introduced in your paper, to define the position of Mrs. Eddy and her relationship to her church, as I have observed it during many years as a faithful adherent of Christian Science.

Mrs. Eddy from early childhood has been credited with a high degree of spirituality. Her peculiar experience through a life fraught with disappointments helped her to learn the insufficiency and the utter emptiness of mortal existence, concerning which Longfellow has aptly said, "Life is but an empty dream," and "Things are not what they seem." Being the one specially prepared to accept the proposition that matter is but "an empty dream," she was of course chosen as the proper one to present to the world the idea that "Spirit is the only reality." Having first introduced the idea, and having founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, she became its natural leader and adviser. She has proven herself a faithful and wise guide, and has never been found wanting. For this reason she has been perpetuated in this leadership, but has occupied no position in the movement which has not been cheerfully accorded to her by her entire following. Indeed, the tenderness and self-sacrifice which she has manifested in watching over the great cause of Christian Science, the parental interest shown, has earned for her the endearing name of "Mother." Christian Scientists are not bound to her by any sworn allegiance nor by any absolute monarchism on her part, but simply by the bonds of love. By common consent Mrs. Eddy is given the position as director of this movement, and Christian Scientists follow her as she follows Christ.

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